A Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from an F-16 fighter jet moments before it crashed into the California desert and sent emergency crews rushing to the scene.
The pilot, the sole occupant of the F-16C Fighting Falcon of the 10:45 a.m. Wednesday crash, had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital, according to a news release from the 57th Wing Public Affairs Office, as well as a San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson. The fire department said it is assisting China Lake emergency resources with fire suppression stemming from a downed aircraft in the dry lake bed near Trona.
